A Northampton man who pointed a loaded rifle at his sister gets state prison

A Northampton man who pointed a loaded rifle at his sister and threatened to kill her and a neighbor was sent to state prison Friday by a Northampton County judge.

Troy A. Zepp, 35, will serve one to two years behind bars and four years of probation after previously pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats.

Zepp's sentence is a longer prison term than was sought by defense attorney James Connell, who said he and prosecutors had reached an agreement calling for nine months in jail.

But Senior Judge Leonard Zito rejected that recommendation, saying Zepp's crime in June could have turned out far worse for his family.

"During this incident here, these people were presented with the business end of a high-powered rifle," Zito said.

On June 8, borough police were called to the home in the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue after "an issue with the dog" led to an eruption by Zepp, according to authorities.

Police said Zepp threw bottles and other items at his sister, Kimberly Zepp, then attacked her husband, Arnold, hitting him in the face and head.

Troy Zepp was tackled, but when he was let go, he went to the basement and returned with the gun. Police said he pointed it inches from Kimberly Zepp's nose and tried to load a round into the chamber, but the weapon jammed.

Troy Zepp also threatened the neighbor, Lee Eubanks, who ended up having to douse Zepp with pepper spray, police said.

In court Friday, Zepp said he knows he needs help, and just wants to get out of prison and return to his children. His lawyer said Zepp took a "downward spiral" after his father died more than two years ago.

"The family has been very supportive of the defendant," Connell said of his client. "This was a case where he was off his medications for approximately six months."